Infection of Hysterectomized Mice with Chlamydia Muridarum and Chlamydia Trachomatis

We studied infection and immunity of hysterectomized mice infected with and to determine if there were differences between these species in their ability to infect vaginal squamous epithelial cells independently of proximal upper genital tract tissues. We found that readily colonized and infected vaginal squamous epithelial cells, whereas did not. Primary infection of the vaginal epithelium with produced infections of a duration longer than that reported for normal mice. Infection resulted in an inflammatory response in the vagina characterized by neutrophils and infiltrating submucosal plasma cells consisting primarily of T cells. Despite the delayed clearance, rechallenged -infected mice were highly immune. Mice vaginally infected with produced serum and vaginal wash antibodies and an antigen-specific gamma interferon-dominated Th1-biased T cell response. By comparison, mice vaginally infected with exhibited transient low-burden infections, produced no detectable tissue inflammatory response, and failed to seroconvert. We discuss how these marked differences in the biology of vaginal infection between these otherwise genetically similar species are possibly linked to pathogen-specific virulence genes and how they may influence pathology and immunity in the upper genital tract.